Juan
I can’t take my eyes off this woman, and I see an in to see if she is married or spoken for. I mean, a woman like this has to be taken. Her auburn hair is pulled back into a bun, so I can’t tell how long it is. I can’t quite tell if her eyes are blue or more gray. She seems funny, has a great smile, and I swear she looked like she was a second away from giving Jon an eye roll that would rival Ry’s. She intrigues me.
“Wouldn’t your husband and family want to eat your new recipes?” Ry kicks me under the table as he smacks himself in the forehead, and Ma scolds me.
“Juan!” From her end of the table, I can see Jane is chuckling at our interaction.
“I’m not married or anything. I like to bake and I can’t eat it all by myself, so I like to share with the people I see all the time.”
“Jane, I am sorry. I raised these boys with better manners than this, I promise you. Let me just take you to my husband and you can meet with him while I have a conversation with my sons.”
Even though I should be fearing for my life with the look Ma was giving us, nothing could keep my eyes from watching Jane follow Ma into their bedroom and appreciating her long legs and ample ass. Well, till there was a smack on the back of my head. I could hear Jon getting one, too.
“What the fuck is wrong with you two? First there’s Jon acting like this woman is an intruder and couldn’t possibly be able to do the job herself. Then there’s you, fucker, who can’t seem to help from flirting with her so obviously by asking that.”
“Hey, I was just making small talk. I didn’t turn on the real charm or anything. And I wasn’t trying to give her the third degree or anything like Mr. Sunshine over there.”
“Now listen, I was just trying to get a feel for her, to see if she can handle dealing with Pa. I—”
“She about handled you, big brother.” Ry chuckled. “I thought she was going to stick her tongue out at you at one moment there.” All of us chuckled at that.
“That’s because she’s a smart woman and knows not to be scared of any of you. I know when you moved out that you boys had more manners than what I just saw. She, in two minutes, won your Pa over, so there will be no trying to get rid of her. Do y'all hear me or do I need to get the message across another way?”
Simultaneously we responded, “Yes, Ma, we heard you.” I swear that woman can make you feel like a ten-year-old again with just a look. It must be a mom thing.
“Did she really win Pa over already?” Ry asks Ma with some hope in his voice.
“I think she did when she told him if he works hard with her, she’ll bring some treats each time she comes.” I might just have to drop in sometime this week and see if I can get to know this chick a bit more.
“Brother, you riding with us before church?” Jon asks Ry. He nods his head as he finishes his coffee and stands up.
Jon speaks as we start to leave. “Ma, we’re off. We'll see you tomorrow for supper.” We all head out the door, stopping to give Ma a kiss as we leave. I think we all could use some wind therapy today.
Jane
“So Mr. Weston—”
“None of that mister business. Mr. Weston was my father. You can call me Jonah, or most everyone calls me Pa.” I smile at the kind-faced older gentleman.
“I’ll work on the pa, but for now, I can definitely do Jonah. Now, while we’re doing most of your therapies, we’ll also be talking. It will get your mind working and geared toward being able to multitask again. I know there will be days you’ll want to swear at me and throw me out. Feel free to swear, but I’ll only listen to Ma if she wants to throw me out.”
That sends him into a good laugh.
“Glad to see you already know who runs the house and is in charge. My missus definitely keeps me and my boys in line. She gets the respect she deserves and in this house, you will too. I heard my boy, Jon, giving you a bit of a hard time. Don’t you be afraid of him, darlin’. If he or any of my boys give you a hard time, just let me know. I’ve heard about how good you are at what you do. If you can get me back on my bike or even on a trike, then you will have me at your back forever.”
“Oh, he didn’t scare me none. I’ve been doing this for years and have dealt with many concerned family members. This ain’t my first rodeo. My dad taught me to stand up for myself, too.”
“Smart man. Now, when do we start this work? I can’t wait to get to the point I can get some wind therapy with my woman.”
I love how motivated he is to do the work. I feel like sometimes that’s half the battle. As I’m about to answer him, the rumble of multiple bikes starting up fills the air. There is no other sound like that. I must have been grinning without realizing it, as Jonah looks at me with a curious expression.
“That look can only mean you understand what I mean by wind therapy, sweetheart. You ride?”
“I grew up riding on the back of my dad’s Harley. I even rode on a couple of my uncles’ bikes a few times. So yes, I understand it. I also understand the feeling of having not gotten any of it in a long time.”
“Does your dad not ride anymore?”
I shake my head. “No, he hasn’t ridden in about ten years and probably won’t get to again.”
